‘Integrity comes first’: CWI president stands firm

Cricket West Indies (CWT) President Kishore Shallow has affirmed the cricket board’s zero-tolerance policy for actions that bring the game into disrepute after two Guyana Harpy Eagles players were fined for ball-tampering offenses in their West Indies

Four-Day Championship clash with Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
The final round clash ended in a draw on April 12, handing Guyana their eighth four-day title in ten years and their third straight crown. However, Guyana’s title win was overshadowed as veteran spinner Veerasammy Permaul and top-order batsman Kevlon Anderson were fined by CWI for level-two offenses related to “changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3. of the Laws of Cricket.”

In an April 14 CWI release, Shallow said, “While we celebrate the season’s success. I want to remind players that CWI holds the integrity of the game in the highest regard.”

“There is zero tolerance for conduct that undermines the spirit of cricket and brings the game into disrepute. The legacy of West Indies cricket has always been built on talent, pride, and integrity, and we are committed to upholding our core values.”

Permaul was fined 75% of his match fee for the level-two breach during the first day of the match. On-field umpires Christopher Taylor, and Kashif Sandy laid the charge after the end of the first day. Permaul admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Michael Ragoonath, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

Meanwhile, Anderson was fined 90% of his match fee for a similar offense on April 11, during TT’s second innings on day three. Anderson accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
The ball was changed in each instance, with the batting team given the option to choose.

Meanwhile, Guyanese all-rounder Ronaldo Alimohamed was fined 65% of his match fee for a level-two breach of the CWI Code of Conduct. The medium pacer breached Article 2.1-2.5; Paragraph 3.6 of the Code of Conduct: “Throw the ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near player or official in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner.”

At the end of the match on April 12, Guyana captain Tevin Imlach said he didn’t want his team to be seen as cheaters.
“(It does put a bit of a taint on the title). It’s something you don’t want to be known for.” Imlach said. “You don’t want to play cricket that way where you’re being accused of stuff like that. We play hard cricket. To use that is going to paint the Guyana team as cheaters or we’re doing something wrong, and it’s obviously not a good look.”

Guyana finished on top with 126.6 points, while T&T slipped to third as they ended on 111 points. Barbados Pride (121.2 points) finished second after their win against Leeward Islands Hurricanes.